Sunday, June 3, 2012

For Professionals Only

Russ Gerow demonstrates the Fairchild K-4 aerial camera mounted for oblique photography in the middle crew station of Continental Air Map’s Douglas M-4. With a 1924 military sticker price of $2,628.62, the 46-lb. K-3 was the first camera to solve the vexing inter-lens shutter and film-spacing-system problems that plagued earlier aerial cameras. Offering selectable shutter speeds of 1/50th, 1/100th and 1/150th/sec, its standard 7” x 9-1/8” film yielded 115 exposures per 75-foot roll of film. Introduced in 1925, the $3,516 K-4 camera was basically a K-3 with an 8-inch lens cone and a heftier price tag. Photo taken at Long Beach, c. 1930-31, photographer unknown.